Desiderio's speed garners much attention

Christine Desiderio is practically in scoring position from the time she steps to the plate.

The Babylon leadoff hitter has a variety of weapons to combat Suffolk hurlers with -- a discerning eye, consistent contact and blazing speed. But one way or another, from the moment she digs in, she's determined to find her way around the diamond and back to the plate.

"As soon as she was eligible to play high school ball as a seventh grader, she's been our leadoff hitter," said coach Rick Punzone, who's led Babylon to a 145-38 record in the last nine years. "Since the first day she could, she's been a starter and hasn't missed a game."

Pity for the opposition.

Desiderio, a junior captain, had a breakout year in 2010, hitting .576 with 37 runs scored, 22 RBIs and two home runs. The eye-popping number, however, was the 43 bases she stole in just 21 games. If you just did a double-take at that figure, you're not alone.

Seton Hall and Adelphi have already shown interest, and Desiderio is finding ways to increase that attention this season. She's batting .545 and has swiped 14 bases in 11 games this year. She'd likely have more if Babylon weren't determined to keep some of its blowouts respectable. All told she's attempted 60 steals in the last two years and been caught just three times -- a 95 percent success rate. It's especially impressive considering runners aren't allowed to take leads off the base in softball, and can't run until the pitch is delivered.

"I time up when I leave looking where the pitcher's arm is, and the motion," Desiderio said. "When she's at the top of the circle, that's when I get ready to go and I bust it."

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She's also versatile, starting games at second base, centerfield and catcher.

"Her college ticket is going to be in the outfield, but she wants to do what's best for the team," Punzone said. "I think she's glad that she's closer to the action. She actually approached me about moving to the infield. She feels like she's a bigger part of the team being closer to the batter."

Desiderio has also taken on the role of part-time pitcher this year. After throwing just one game -- which she won -- in her high school career before 2011, Desiderio is now 4-0 with a 1.22 ERA, 21 strikeouts and three walks in 23 innings.

"When I was younger I used to pitch for Little League, but never even in travel ball," said Desiderio, who plays travel for Team Long Island. "It was scary at first, but it's nice to come out and do it well, considering it's something you don't practice a lot."

Punzone said her control in the circle is the thing that stands out to him, but perhaps what impresses him most overall about Desiderio is the person behind the player.

"Everything she does she strives to be the best at," he said. "She's a sweetheart of a kid. You can't get any nicer than her, and it shows on the field."